11 pass BRPD chief test; scores released

11 pass BRPD chief test; scores released

Eleven candidates seeking to become Baton Rouge’s next police chief have passed the two-part civil service exam.

Sgt. Jonathan S. Dunnam and Capt. James G. Drickamer, both of the Baton Rouge Police Department, tied for the highest score at 91.

Interim Chief Carl Dabadie finished in the middle of the pack with an 84, four points higher than his score in 2011.

Sgt. Bryan Taylor, the chairman of the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board who passed the test with an 82, said the scores could be forwarded to East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden by the close of business Thursday.

Holden, who will choose the city’s next police chief, has decided not to use an advisory committee to help him make his decision, a departure from his previous police chief selections. Holden has not named a timetable for his selection.

“Until I get a chance to analyze the results and to speak to people in the community about the finalists, I will not be making any statements,” Holden said.

The police chief’s position opened in February after Holden fired former Police Chief Dewayne White. The mayor accused White of violating a long list of departmental policies while White accused the mayor of micromanaging the department.